Funerals to be held at Cookstown and Magherafelt for crash victims

Joyce Wilson, 51 who was from Derramore Way will be laid to rest after a funeral service in Kildress Parish Church.

The funeral will also be held tomorrow for John Keatley, of Aughrim Road, Magherafelt, who was killed along with another man in an accident involving a motorbike and car in south Belfast on Tuesday evening.

Mr Keatley, who was in his late 20s, will to buried following a service in St Swithin’s Parish Church.

Their deaths come after a series of tragic accidents in the Mid Ulster area in recent weeks.

Speaking at a press conference, called after five deaths in as many days in the Province, Superintendent Gerry Murray said: “Since the start of the year 40 people have lost their lives on our roads and within the last 24 hours the family and friends of two more people are grieving the loss of a loved one.

“The sad reality is that many of the deaths and serious injuries on our roads could be avoided.

“Speed is the number one cause of fatal collisions so we really need people to understand that by slowing down and altering their speed to suit the conditions of the road they can potentially save a life. As well as slowing down we need drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists to pay more attention, to respect other road users, and to take personal responsibility for their own safety.”

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan offered his sincere sympathies to the families of those who have died.

He said the “increase in road deaths this year highlights that using the roads is the most dangerous thing that most of us do most days”.